Thomas Tuchel Shares Unusual Regret After England's 10-Man World Cup Win Over Mexico

Tuchel’s Unexpected Regret After England’s Victory

Thomas Tuchel, England’s manager, opened up about a surprising regret following his team’s remarkable 3-2 victory over Mexico in the World Cup knockout stage. The win, achieved with just ten men against the tournament co-hosts at the Estadio Azteca, left Tuchel wishing he had done something unusual to capture the moment forever: eating the Azteca grass.

"I texted a friend after the match and I just wrote, I regret that I didn’t eat some grass after the match to keep something from this in my body forever. That was the feeling. That was the moment."

The Moment of Unity After Henderson’s Injury

The celebrations took a serious turn when Jordan Henderson broke his arm falling over an advertising hoarding. Tuchel highlighted the immediate response from the team as a symbol of their unity and empathy. Every player stopped celebrating to protect Henderson, creating a shield around him.

"If you needed any proof of what it meant to these players and how they were with each other, it was the moment when Jordan fell over and broke his arm. Within a second, the players were there... in full empathy. It was just so special."

Building a Stronger Team for the Future

This shared experience has deepened the bond between Tuchel and the players, shaping the team culture as they prepare for upcoming challenges like Euro 2028. Tuchel expressed pride in being part of this group and excitement for what lies ahead.

"It created a huge bond to these players. It feels like they are my players now... You have success and you have painful moments together, but you create a natural bond. I’m happy to challenge them, push them, and very proud to be a part of that."

Focus on Upcoming Competitions

Looking ahead, Tuchel plans to build on recent successes, including a strong Nations League campaign, as England prepares for the European Championship and World Cup qualifiers. He sees the next fixtures as vital for keeping momentum.

"We had 10 matches in the US - eight wins, one draw, one painful loss. That is something to build on. We all have the right to hold our heads high and go with courage and positivity into the next challenges. We have four matches in Nations League coming up, and that’s where the focus is."

Upcoming Fixtures

• 26 Sept 2026 13:00: Mexico vs Colombia (Friendlies)
• 26 Sept 2026 21:45: England vs Spain (UEFA Nations League A)

England will soon face tough tests, including a trip to Croatia and a home-and-away series against Czechia. Tuchel is set to reveal his squad selection shortly as preparations intensify.